Information on Brushing & Shedding with Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbits shed a lot of fur while molting. During this
time they need frequent brushing.
Brushing Pet Rabbits
Pet rabbits need brushed particularly while they are shedding
or molting. Rabbits spend a good part of their day grooming
themselves. In the process they ingest hair as they lick
themselves which can lead to hair balls. More rabbits die
from hairballs than most any other cause so brushing away
the loose hair is critical.
Regular petting and handling will usually minimize the loose hair
but most rabbits seem to enjoy the brushing as part of their
natural instinct to groom one another.
Brushing with a wire slicker will remove loose hair and any
matting. Rabbits with a short coat like the Rex will only require
a little water on your hands rubbed over the body to remove the
loose hair. A used hairbrush will do a good job if the pet
rabbit is brushed daily.
How Often do Pet Rabbits Shed
Rabbits shed, or molt, their coat two to three times the first
year and then typically once a year after that.
The first molt may be at three months of age when you'll see a
little fur fly when you pet them.
The six month molt is the big one where folks are certain their
rabbit has something wrong because their hair is falling out in
great handfuls.
The new fur that comes in after the six month molt will be their
adult color and texture. Long haired rabbits fur from this point
on will be slightly coarser and easier to maintain with less
matting. The Rex coat will be silkier and more velvety feeling.
They may shed again at nine months, but not always.
Then at a year they will shed again. After that, unless there is
a dramatic change in weather, they will only molt once a year
(around their birthday).
See Also:
Index of All Rabbit Care & Bunny
Fun Stuff
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